[Adorableness warning]
As someone who's been there, done that (having babies, I mean, not running for the office of President), may I just say--again--how genuinely warm and real a human being Barack Obama is. And as far as being a loving and devoted Dad, something you've undoubtedly read over and over by now? Well, observe how he mirrors the babies' various expressions and how he engages the babies and manages to ignore the crowds and cameras in order to connect with the actual person within all these fierce little creatures. And he makes face after goofy face, too, while doing that intuitive swaying thing I recognize and remember all too well.
You know, I was rather mother-cat-like with my babies--I had to fight the urge to swipe them back from the arms of their own pediatrician--but I'd have trusted Senator Obama to hold any of my newborns: besides the fact that he's supremely natural with the wee bairns and has an obvious ability to charm them, he clearly knows to extend his index and middle fingers to support that heavy little bobble-head they tend to have when very tiny.
Enjoy.
This very sweet Ramones-accompanied piece goes out to my wonderful Queen Mum.
* Part Two, which has a bit of movie footage--lots of kissing, hugging, and swaying--along with the still shots, is after the jump:
I love the slightly older kid at 1:23 and again at about 3:23 -- the smiling, African American kid in the blue and white shirt. He looks so unbelievably delighted.
Posted by: Sir Charles | October 01, 2008 at 05:52 PM
Me too, C. TRex posted that very shot, coincidentally--he remarked that even though he doesn't have ovaries, that photo made them flutter.
Posted by: litbrit | October 01, 2008 at 06:19 PM
oh, thanks, litbrit!
Posted by: kathy a. | October 01, 2008 at 06:39 PM
Oh, and this is the father (of daughters, no less!) who allegedly wants to teach sex education to kindergartners? Yeah, right.
If John McCain ever touched a baby, it would try to leap out of the Mean Man's arms. I believe they are intuitive that way.
Posted by: Victoria | October 01, 2008 at 08:01 PM
The hand supporting the head is telling. That's instinctive. Senator Obama's got great instincts...
Posted by: michmog | October 01, 2008 at 10:22 PM
Of course, McCain's hampered in this race as well, because...HE'S A FORMER P.O.W.! WITH BROKEN ARMS! THAT CAN'T HOLD BABIES AS NATURALLY AS OBAMA CAN!
I wouldn't be surprised if he asked Obama to agree that they should both suspend the baby-kissing element of the campaign to eliminate the physical inequality that is a direct result of McCain's patriotic duty to his country. Perhaps they could both agree to keep arms at waist level or below in either shaking a child's hand, or patting him/her on the head. (McCain could form a fact-finding committee to decide on a fair set of rules and limitations for both men to abide by.)
Posted by: Voice o' Reason | October 01, 2008 at 11:14 PM
I, too, was going to wonder if any McCain-Baby vid exists, and did they cry?
Hell, did he even look at them? And did he snarl when he did?
Posted by: MR Bill | October 02, 2008 at 07:05 AM
When he takes a baby to hold it, first he supports its whole body against his torso, all along, before holding it with his arms and distancing his head to optimal face-focussing levels. He keeps them *safe*.
That man knows about babies. I bet his daughters know where babies come from, too, and that they own their own bodies.
Posted by: Ailbhe | October 20, 2008 at 08:44 PM